Dark Souls

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1574 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,343 out of 1574
  2. Mixed: 87 out of 1574
  3. Negative: 144 out of 1574
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  1. cameronlemon97
    Dec 2, 2011
    10
    one of the best and most unique games I've played all year. I never though i could have so much fun dying and learning how to overcome each individual problem, enemy design is incredible as well and as the game progresses the enemies look more hellish and the difficulty makes this game one of the best games of the year
  2. DrunkBall101
    Nov 29, 2011
    10
    Awesome game! The difficulty of this game is so rewarding when you defeat giant and unique bosses. For anyone who loves action RPGs i would recommend this game to you. It is a must buy.
  3. Fidhel
    Nov 29, 2011
    10
    Exelente jogo perfeito só acredito que poderia ter uma historia um pouquinho melhor, Todo combate e unico isso da uma nova dinamica para o jogo a exploração e bem interessante. Enfim um dos melhores jogos que já joguei.
  4. SolidLinkSnake4
    Nov 27, 2011
    10
    Dark Souls is a very fun RPG game that is challenging,fun to die, and overall awesome. If you don't like dieing a lot in a game don't get this ,but if you like RPG's this game is good for you
  5. whosgotthecrack
    Nov 26, 2011
    10
    This is quite possibly one of the best games I have played in the past 10 years. It feels like a return to the old school style action-adventure game, with RPG elements heavily incorporated. If you, like me, feel like video games have become incredibly dumbed-down, mindless and easy; this will be an incredibly refreshing experience. The immersion this game creates is amazing, as theThis is quite possibly one of the best games I have played in the past 10 years. It feels like a return to the old school style action-adventure game, with RPG elements heavily incorporated. If you, like me, feel like video games have become incredibly dumbed-down, mindless and easy; this will be an incredibly refreshing experience. The immersion this game creates is amazing, as the difficulty makes you pay close attention to the movements of the AI and the world around you. For the first time in years I felt immersed in a game, the environment and sheer difficulty invoke feelings of despair and anxiety at times, but this makes the reward for overcoming challenges feel much more like an accomplishment than anything I have experienced in a contemporary action/RPG game.… Expand
  6. FattyMooMooMan
    Nov 26, 2011
    10
    One of this years better games, challenging with an interesting story and setting - character development is good and you can mould your character around the way you want to play (I have been playing a sorcery caster and am currently in Anor Londo, unfortunately skyrim is taking huge chunks out of my life at the moment but I hope soon to be back and finishing this game off as I wouldOne of this years better games, challenging with an interesting story and setting - character development is good and you can mould your character around the way you want to play (I have been playing a sorcery caster and am currently in Anor Londo, unfortunately skyrim is taking huge chunks out of my life at the moment but I hope soon to be back and finishing this game off as I would really like to find out how it ends). The developers also appear to be supporting the title well as is apparent in the patches they have been putting out. This game is hard though - take your time to level up and play smart and you will find a very rewarding game here, try to rush through and be prepared to die lots.… Expand
  7. Kuzkula
    Nov 23, 2011
    8
    Criminy. Prepare to die. Simple as that.
    Well, I love this game. As always, I dip my toes in the Redbox and snag it on my night/s off. Got addicted. Returned RAGE and got this instead. Read my problems with that "masterpiece" in another review. To put it as others have, Dark Souls makes dying fun. :D
    Graphics: Dark Souls is beautiful. There's few if any clipping going on [dragon's tail],    Criminy. Prepare to die. Simple as that.
    Well, I love this game. As always, I dip my toes in the Redbox and snag it on my night/s off. Got addicted. Returned RAGE and got this instead. Read my problems with that "masterpiece" in another review. To put it as others have, Dark Souls makes dying fun. :D

    Graphics: Dark Souls is beautiful. There's few if any clipping going on [dragon's tail], weapons are just what you'd expect to be textured. You can see _forever_ in this game. If you find a high point you can easily turn around and either see the mass of corpses in your wake, or look forward and see certain doom waiting for you. Bosses are amazing, many moving parts and detail taken to make them truly terrifying. Don't believe me? Look up Gaping Dragon. That's not even the worst!

    Sound: Ahhh, dying in a eerily silent castle corridor has never sounded so realistic. There's hardly, if any, music going on at any time. Weapons sound like they're supposed to, and when you are slowly creeping the corridor of a dungeon, you know damn well to keep silent and LISTEN. The dry rasping of a hallowed will probably be all you have to tell you're walking into an ambush. Once again: Bosses - Terrifying.

    Controls: People keep complaining about controls. I don't see how. It's not a mash RT or X to win game, and people need to understand that. Armor and equipment load determine how well you move, and half of the fight of the game is learning how to inhabit this body as you try to survive hordes of enemies, traps, bosses, mini-bosses, and those damn black knights. Fighting is simple yet strategic. Basically this - never just run in swinging like an idiot. Block, strike, repeat til dead. Can't block that hit? DODGE, KNUCKLEHEAD. Oh wait, you've died because you can't understand the basic principle of not blocking attacks with your face. Here's your helmet due to your head being caved in for being an idiot.

    UI: Easy to navigate, but man they make you rush due to there being a lack of a pause menu. Pressing start opens a quick menu and keeps the game world running. Smart players would equip their items to the multiple slots for swapping out a weapon for a talisman or whatnot. The menus are a nice touch for determining what equipment is better thanks to a stat display. Lower bleed resistance but higher fire defense. Niiiiiice. Leveling up also keeps you on the verge of insanity, needing more and more souls to get that little stat bump to keep yourself from getting stuffed in a corner and... well... y'know.

    Gameplay: CHALLENGING. God. It's not a selling point as much as it is a fun factor. It's basically a huge game of find the weakness, except with two swords and your face. Riposte/slash/block/slash and repeat. Can get quite repetitive if you try to grab too much too quickly, typically leaving you farther than comfortable from a bonfire, making you go alllllll the way out there again to retrieve your lost souls/humanity so they're all not wasted. Bosses are, again, terrifying. Once you traverse the white light, it becomes very tense, then panic, and probably disappointment at dying yet again at the damn bell tower gargoyles. Sometimes it feels as though the enemies are unfair and just pummeling you into dust. Protip- try a different method. Experiment.

    Overall: Love this game. Harsh gameplay leading to many people quitting just makes me laugh, but it can be frustrating at times, so it's understandable. Go in with patience, caution, and just a bit of foresight, and you may die less than 100 times your first playthough.    … Expand
  8. Shadexx7
    Nov 21, 2011
    8
    Dark Souls is an interesting game for today's generation, where games are usually much easier. I wasn't alive for the times when games like Battletoads came out, but I have gone back to play them. They are brutal. I am a glutton for punishment, playing games like Aban Awkins and The 1000 Spikes (etc.), but Dark Souls was one of the more enjoyable punishing games I've played.

    It's a great    Dark Souls is an interesting game for today's generation, where games are usually much easier. I wasn't alive for the times when games like Battletoads came out, but I have gone back to play them. They are brutal. I am a glutton for punishment, playing games like Aban Awkins and The 1000 Spikes (etc.), but Dark Souls was one of the more enjoyable punishing games I've played.

    It's a great fantasy game, there's no doubt about it. I like the "soul" system of currency, where you can either spend your hard earned money (which can disappear very fast) on new equipment or on levelling. It makes a guy think when he can either level a single attribute or buy that new armour from that creepy merchant, knowing both can help him. The combat is good, the system of having a left and right hand (and controlling them as such) is also good (I never played Demon's Souls). There are a few problems. Initially, the game was hard. Hard as hell. But then you realize, once you go through an area two, three, four, ten times, you just need to know where the enemies spawn and how to defeat them. Roll at the right time, attack. It isn't that hard once you go through the same area a few times. The bosses, on the other hand, are a mixed bag of emotions: they are very well thought out , and they're a blast to fight. Some of them do have very cheap tactics and moves that will see you killed without any warning or even knowing how something hit you. I also found some annoying parts, especially when starting, such as attacking someone by accident, having to kill them because they became aggressive, then losing out on a fairly important merchant early in the game.

    Dark Souls is not a bad game by any means. If you are a glutton for punishment, this is your game. I do have to tell you one thing though:

    Get TES: Skryim. It is a better game, especially if you're looking for a game that won't get you depressed considering how many times you die.    … Expand
  9. denis2011
    Nov 21, 2011
    8
    Great action RPG. Nice graphics, awesome combat. Very chalenging indeed but sometimes unfair and the fact that you can lose all your hard earned souls (xp=money..) is very frustrating. You really are going to die, a lot.......be prepared.
  10. Redfelcon
    Nov 21, 2011
    8
    Ill be honest I loved Demon souls, Dark Souls not so much lol I know ! The graphics are amazing, the fighting is what was to be expected, difficulty out of this world so whats the problem? I guess the wowness and surprises of Demon souls still for me at lest out shines Dark Souls. I gave Dark Souls an 8 its not a bad game, but its nothing to wow over this time. If you loved Demon souls IIll be honest I loved Demon souls, Dark Souls not so much lol I know ! The graphics are amazing, the fighting is what was to be expected, difficulty out of this world so whats the problem? I guess the wowness and surprises of Demon souls still for me at lest out shines Dark Souls. I gave Dark Souls an 8 its not a bad game, but its nothing to wow over this time. If you loved Demon souls I would say pick it up you love it.… Expand
  11. PhineasGraves
    Nov 21, 2011
    9
    There is no denying the game is hard. But that does not mean it's unbeatable. I found that every place has a strategy and figuring out that strategy is part of the fun. I found myself more times than not getting frustrated and putting down the controller, only to return a short time later to pick it back up again. It's this kind of addicting play that has drawn me in. Another thing toThere is no denying the game is hard. But that does not mean it's unbeatable. I found that every place has a strategy and figuring out that strategy is part of the fun. I found myself more times than not getting frustrated and putting down the controller, only to return a short time later to pick it back up again. It's this kind of addicting play that has drawn me in. Another thing to note is this world is MASSIVE. Just when you think you found everything to be found, something opens up around the corner. Cant go wrong with that! As of this writing I haven't beat the game just yet, but I'm 66 hours in and I'm sure I'm close. Of course your time could be dramatically lower depending on how good of a player you are. TIP: To make this game is easier, take bigger risks exploring; to get Armour, weapons, and rings. They make you more powerful than leveling up. Don't play any mind to the souls you may loose. The bigger risk, the bigger the reward.… Expand
  12. Ischie
    Nov 20, 2011
    10
    I recommend this game to everyone who loves RPGs. If you think the game is too hard, get the fantastically well made, hard cover, strategy guide and play the game. I put in 140hrs into it and feel its one of the best games I have ever played. Highly recommended.
  13. Stfu_Noobs
    Nov 20, 2011
    5
    Played Demon Soul's fought through hours of death( I must have died a 1000 time) anyways i don't feel I gained anything for it, Even though i told myself i shouldn't get Dark Soul (I did anyways) well... I guess its just not my kind of game. I get on die, die and die again. Sometimes its not even my fault. And your character really has no goals other than to just get through alive. ThePlayed Demon Soul's fought through hours of death( I must have died a 1000 time) anyways i don't feel I gained anything for it, Even though i told myself i shouldn't get Dark Soul (I did anyways) well... I guess its just not my kind of game. I get on die, die and die again. Sometimes its not even my fault. And your character really has no goals other than to just get through alive. The game just wasn't rewarding enough for all the dying.… Expand
  14. TooGoods
    Nov 19, 2011
    4
    Good game, but the cheap deaths is a very negative aspect to this game, and there's a lot of it. The story is not as good as Dark Souls and the absence of a central "Nexus" also ruins this game for me. I feel that the bosses are also not as memorable as Dark Souls. Another negative thing is that the game is full of people who spam "soul" glitches to reach levels that are far too highGood game, but the cheap deaths is a very negative aspect to this game, and there's a lot of it. The story is not as good as Dark Souls and the absence of a central "Nexus" also ruins this game for me. I feel that the bosses are also not as memorable as Dark Souls. Another negative thing is that the game is full of people who spam "soul" glitches to reach levels that are far too high (300-700) to even challenge against when you are in certain covenants such as the Darkmoon covenant.… Expand
  15. fatsouls
    Nov 18, 2011
    8
    This game is like hell. It's one of the most addicting, desperating, freak. You'll want to shoot yourself evrytime you play and end up throwing the controller to the TV.
    I highly recommend NOT TO BUY THIS GAME. FAT SOULS
  16. Alibi
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    What makes Dark Soul's story unique is that it talks about a prophecy of a hero will save the land one day, but it could careless if that is you. It doesn't care if you live or die. It does not have a huge back story either. It lets you fill in the blanks. Also, the same way it does not care if you live or die. It does not care if the NPC that fill the world of Dark Soul live or die. IfWhat makes Dark Soul's story unique is that it talks about a prophecy of a hero will save the land one day, but it could careless if that is you. It doesn't care if you live or die. It does not have a huge back story either. It lets you fill in the blanks. Also, the same way it does not care if you live or die. It does not care if the NPC that fill the world of Dark Soul live or die. If you are a fan of the RPG genre I would suggest picking this one up!… Expand
  17. k3k3ti6
    Nov 17, 2011
    10
    I don't think I've been so excited to die in a game before. This game really challenges you and makes you earn your reward. Alot of people I know don't like it or can't get into it, and to me it's due to the fact that they can't just run through and hack everything in site. This game is addicting and at times you will want to swear and throw the controller, take a deep breath and try try again.
  18. LonePie
    Nov 16, 2011
    10
    This is a great game. Unlike most games where you can kill any enemy without batting an eye, this game has enemies that can kill you in a second. Not only does this make every enemy a significant encounter that makes your heart race, it makes each victory so much more sweet. The world, dark, miserable, and full of despair, is captured with success. From the cloudy vistas and darkThis is a great game. Unlike most games where you can kill any enemy without batting an eye, this game has enemies that can kill you in a second. Not only does this make every enemy a significant encounter that makes your heart race, it makes each victory so much more sweet. The world, dark, miserable, and full of despair, is captured with success. From the cloudy vistas and dark catacombs, even seeing light from the sun has a surreal and sad feeling; the light streaming from the sun on a world full of tragedy. It contrasts so well with the environment. Great game.… Expand
  19. KlaatuZu
    Nov 14, 2011
    10
    If you like progression, open worlds, mystical environments, little talk and a lot of hardcore action, there is NO OTHER game comparable to this one. I play games since the 80´s and have been a hardcore FPS gamer most of the time, but this game takes the cake. Bethesda have great RPG´s when it comes to soft play, nice worlds etc...., mass effect? soooooo overratedIf you like progression, open worlds, mystical environments, little talk and a lot of hardcore action, there is NO OTHER game comparable to this one. I play games since the 80´s and have been a hardcore FPS gamer most of the time, but this game takes the cake. Bethesda have great RPG´s when it comes to soft play, nice worlds etc...., mass effect? soooooo overrated it´s sad ( I love KOTOR and Dragon Age, don´t get me wrong). In Dark Souls you end up memorizing the WHOLE game, because you have to be a PRO to go through. Very original multiplayer and a overall unforgetable experience. Few games stay with you like this one. I could not recomend it more. EASY 10/10… Expand
  20. incognito_1
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    i heard a lot good things about this game so i played demon souls couple months before dark souls came out. i loved it! i admit that it demon souls boss fights may have been a bit more creative but dark souls still impresses me greatly. i especially love (and hate) the feeling of fear and frustration of dieing just when the boss was one hit from death. this feeling will haunt you throughi heard a lot good things about this game so i played demon souls couple months before dark souls came out. i loved it! i admit that it demon souls boss fights may have been a bit more creative but dark souls still impresses me greatly. i especially love (and hate) the feeling of fear and frustration of dieing just when the boss was one hit from death. this feeling will haunt you through out the game, this tension and stress comes from the possibility of losing everything that you had earned from the last few hours and losing it all due to a bad roll, block, attack, spell cast etc. this is why i enjoyed the game so much, true it may not be for most people. the sense of loss and frustration may not your 'thing", but due to these feelings dark souls is one game that stands out in my library. also there is some issues with the game involving the frame rate, certain areas are worse than others but it is mostly due to the fact that ps3 and xbox hardware is getting old. plus it doesn't hinder the game to the point unplayability, it is more of an annoyance. if u ignore these flaws you will have a immensely enjoyable experience.… Expand
  21. bowflexman
    Nov 13, 2011
    10
    Dark Souls is an incredible game that forces you to withstand intense challenges, but rewards you in return with a sense of accomplishment you will not find in any other game. Yes, that includes Skyrim. Dark Souls is an open world action RPG. Where this game differs from others is the fact that you will die...a lot. This game is incredibly difficult, but with patience you will overcomeDark Souls is an incredible game that forces you to withstand intense challenges, but rewards you in return with a sense of accomplishment you will not find in any other game. Yes, that includes Skyrim. Dark Souls is an open world action RPG. Where this game differs from others is the fact that you will die...a lot. This game is incredibly difficult, but with patience you will overcome this difficulty through the use of its absolutely perfect controls. This game's controls are so fine-tuned and so perfect that every death can only be blamed on the player, not the game. Anyways, to cut this short, this game is amazing. I have invested 92 hours into the first playthrough and cant wait to seek further challenges in new game+!… Expand
  22. vorophobe
    Nov 12, 2011
    10
    I love the difficulty. This game and it's predecessor doesn't hold your hand and walk you from area to area, it rewards skill, planning and determination =)
  23. BoG
    Nov 11, 2011
    9
    I loved this game. It's challenging in a way that few games are anymore. Yes it's hard, yes it's frustrating. But, so was the water temple in Zelda, and anyone who has played that game will never forget that stage. What I'm saying is, the difficulty is part of what makes the game worth playing and beating.
  24. wulfenstein
    Nov 11, 2011
    10
    What a lot of crap really the graphics for next gen could have been alot better, controls that drive you insane..meeting other characters in the game talk but make no sense and they don't even move it's like a mime show..All the hype really I feel robbed I even thought keep going it's going to get better o gee died, died and died again..no real effort in character design hell let makeWhat a lot of crap really the graphics for next gen could have been alot better, controls that drive you insane..meeting other characters in the game talk but make no sense and they don't even move it's like a mime show..All the hype really I feel robbed I even thought keep going it's going to get better o gee died, died and died again..no real effort in character design hell let make character and you be wearing a sacks for armour really come on..I hope Skyrim is alot better than this all this game is good for is a cup mat to remind how you wasted your money on a over hyped game...… Expand
  25. scott13
    Nov 10, 2011
    6
    Dark souls is a good game if you like games to be really hard (like me) but it is repetative and ign thought it was going to destroy skyrim. not even close to as good as skyrim.
  26. The_upgrade
    Nov 10, 2011
    8
    Never played demon souls before so I didn't know what to expect. My cousin actually told me about this game. The more I read about the more interested I became. My experience with Dark souls is that it punishes you for not reacting to enemies differently. Even as a level 45 in the beginning area I can still be killed if I get careless or run through. The game can be played by yourself orNever played demon souls before so I didn't know what to expect. My cousin actually told me about this game. The more I read about the more interested I became. My experience with Dark souls is that it punishes you for not reacting to enemies differently. Even as a level 45 in the beginning area I can still be killed if I get careless or run through. The game can be played by yourself or summoning other people into your game. It makes for a great experience summoning people to your game to take on a boss you have no experienced yet. The graphics and sounds are pretty good but not great. There is frame rate issues in some of the levels. The game doesn't provide a tutorial on how to play or how to summon help. Another great aspect is you can invade other people's worlds and try to kill them so they would have to start at the last checkpoint. It can lead to some exciting 3v1 or 2v1v1 scenario. I would recommend this as a buy and if not a rent it for sure. Remember to take it calmly and figure things out slowly. It will frustrated you but when you figure it out it makes for some great experience.… Expand
  27. Mon0chromicorn
    Nov 10, 2011
    9
    This game is great for those who like a challenge and dont mind dying....A LOT. Jumping into Dark Souls is unlike any game your used to, it does not hold your hand and give you tutorials. You literally fight a huge boss minuets after you start the game. The world and enemies in Dark souls are vast, this is on game where buying a strategy guide is highly recommended! You always need to beThis game is great for those who like a challenge and dont mind dying....A LOT. Jumping into Dark Souls is unlike any game your used to, it does not hold your hand and give you tutorials. You literally fight a huge boss minuets after you start the game. The world and enemies in Dark souls are vast, this is on game where buying a strategy guide is highly recommended! You always need to be on your toes in this game. Very trial and error based. Being able to summon other players into your world to help fight a boss is great, it makes things alot easier and enjoyable.… Expand
  28. Jools86
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    This game is so satisfying. Killing a boss after dying 10 times in a row is the best feeling, it doesnt matter if you summon an npc or another player to help you - this game is so hard, but never punishing. graphics and the levelling up system are fantastic. 10 out of 10 as this is just as enjoyable as demons souls, i hope they do a port of xbox owners.
  29. ApocalypticEvil
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    Dark Souls is an adventure that is both fulfilling and exciting. The game itself can be brutally hard. But this is good, it's a challenge that IS possible. You're free to make your decisions on where to go almost as soon as you enter Lordran. The world is huge, and offers plenty of hours of gameplay. The multiplayer is an interesting aspect of the game. No voice chat allowed as theyDark Souls is an adventure that is both fulfilling and exciting. The game itself can be brutally hard. But this is good, it's a challenge that IS possible. You're free to make your decisions on where to go almost as soon as you enter Lordran. The world is huge, and offers plenty of hours of gameplay. The multiplayer is an interesting aspect of the game. No voice chat allowed as they prefer for "Silent assistance" which I find perfectly fine. Invading is always enjoyable (who wouldn't want to make someone throw their controller in frustration?). This is an epic and expansive RPG that has placed my faith back into immersing myself for countless hours in a single game. From Software did an amazing job, and I only hope they release another.… Expand
  30. EternalGamer2
    Nov 10, 2011
    10
    I don't generally like difficult games and I even disliked Demon Souls when I tried it, but I love Dark Souls. The reason why is that the difficultly in this game is not based on fast reflexes or pain staking memorization. It is, instead, based on being careful and playing with an awareness of your surroundings. You can't button mash in Dark Souls. Not even on the easiest enemies.I don't generally like difficult games and I even disliked Demon Souls when I tried it, but I love Dark Souls. The reason why is that the difficultly in this game is not based on fast reflexes or pain staking memorization. It is, instead, based on being careful and playing with an awareness of your surroundings. You can't button mash in Dark Souls. Not even on the easiest enemies. They aren't hard, you just have to block and wait for openings. You need to lure them out and use the environment to your advantage. Encountering a new enemy is always exhilirating and intimidating. If you like exploration based games like Zelda or Metriod you are in for a particular treat as the world of Dark Souls is amazing. It is filled with secret passages and shortcuts where the world loops back on itself and links back up with previous areas from new angles. Dark Souls is big but it very dense. There are no large areas where you have to wander along boring open fields for hours on end like Oblivion or Fall Out. Each and every inch of the world is lovingly crafted, not randomly generated.

    This is easily my favorite game on the 360. It is the only game I would give a 10. Not because it is perfect (the frame rate problems and the difficulty curve can occasionally seem a bit unfair), but because it is one of the very very few games I will still be thinking about a decade from now.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
7
#7 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2011
8
#8 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 66 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 64 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 66
  3. Negative: 0 out of 66
  1. Gamer Limit
    Nov 29, 2011
    85
    All in all, Dark Souls is a more difficult, but less enjoyable (and less accessible) Demon's Souls.
    Read full review
  2. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Nov 15, 2011
    90
    Dark Souls' world is dense with something new around every corner. [Issue#78, p.76]
  3. Xbox Achievements
    Nov 15, 2011
    90
    Dark Souls makes no bones about being unrelenting in its difficulty though, although it's by no means insurmountable. It's a rare game that's unlike anything else, refusing to pander or compromise in any way, shape or form. In this day and age, Dark Souls is hugely refreshing then, and well worth the time and effort.
    Read full review
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